Slow acting relay



Jan. 12, 1932. F. H. HIBBARD 1,841,120

SLOW ACTING RELAY Filed April 18. 1929 rA l l ATKTRN'Y Patented Jan. 12, 1932 p `u.1\;x-IrE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE HI'BIBARI),4 OF MIOUNTAINy LAKESLIFENv JERSEY, ASSIGNOR: TO .BELL.TELE

OF'NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION" 0F i PHONEv 'LABORATOKIES,l INCORPORATED, NEW` YORK SLOW ACTING .RELAY Application 1ed April 18,?

This-invention relates to electromagnetic devices and more particularly to improvements. invthezfso-called slow to operate type relays.- Y f It is the object of this invention to improvetheelectrical operating characteristics of "electromagnetic devices of this typefin= whichithe actuation` of a circuit controllingarmature to its operated position lags appreciably .behind the closurev of theienergizing circuit for ythe electromagnet.

ThisY object is attained in accordance with a feature of the invention by the provision of an electromagnetzand an armature controlled -vi-bratory Isp ring. `member, which l so controls the: completion of the energizing circuit andf regulatesfthe current therein asto materially delay `the complete Aactuationy ofl fthe circuit controlling armature.

Another feature of the inventionv resides inadjustable means associated with the vibratory Aspring memb.er,by virtue; of which' the' time interval elapsing between the initial closureoftheenergizing circuit and the com-4 e plete actuation ofthe armature may -be varied.: i

This `invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description made f with referenceto the accompanying drawings whiclr discloses two relays embodyingqthe` basic inventive idea and vdiffering `only in constructionaldetails, the relay shown in Fig.l 1 being a single winding relay and the one in Fig. 2 being a .two-winding relay.

Likeparts throughout'thetwo figures are designated-by like numerals.

A core 5 is secured to the magnetic yoke 6 in any suitable manner. At one end of the yoke 6 afmountingelement 8 is secured by means-'offscrew 9 and serves as a pivotal mounting for the armature 7. The armature l 7 is provided with two contact spring actuators 10 an d 11, the former being a relatively N thin flexible member secured to the armature in any suitable manner, andthe latter Ya rigid member formed integrally with the armature.

Referring to Fig. 1, the Hexible member 1() is shown controlling the contact springs "012, 13, 14, and 16 which are insulativ'ely 1929.l serial No. 356,132.

mounted as a unit on the core 6 by means of the screw bolt 17 or in any other desirable manner. The actuator 11 controls the contact springs 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. This set of springs may also be mounted on the relay structure in any suitable manner, and has .contacts 13-12 winding 26 of thel electro- :magn'et, variable `resistance element 27 to ground at key 24.. The inclusion of resistance 27 in this circuit limits the current in winding26 to sucha value as to cause only a partial actuation of armature 7. This movement of the armature does not disturb the contact springs controlled'by the actuator 11, but is suiicient 'to separate. springs 12 and- 13 through the medium of the member 10. The remaining contact 'snrings controlledby ac-` tuator '10 are not effectively actuated at this time.

As contacts 13-12 are opened the electro;

magnet becomes decnergized and armature 7 motion of mass 28. The reclosure of contacts 13-12 again causes the electromagnet* to be operated. This self-interrupting action ofthe armature will therefore continue for some time at avrate dependent principally upon the electrical constants of the electromagnet and its circuit. The vibration thus imparted to the spring member 13 at a point intermediate itsl mounting and the mass 28. gradually imparts motion to the mass 28, so

that the member 13 and the mass 28 together forming an elastic system take up a vibration dependent upon the constants of the y elastic system'. With this vibration established, the member 13 acquires a suliicient amplitude to eect rthe closure of contacts. 13-14.

It will be noticed that the stud 3() should be so designed as to render the closure of contacts 15-16 coincident With the closure of contacts 13-14.

The electromagnet is now energized in a circuit extending from grounded battery spring contacts 13-14, Winding 6, conductor 31, spring contacts 15-16, conductor 32, to ground at key 2li. The closure of contacts 15-16, short-circuits the resistance Q7, `Whereupon the ampere turns for the electr ,niagnet are increased and are of sutlicient value to effect the complete actuation of armature 7.

When armature 7 is fully actuated the contact springs controlled by actuator 11 are operated and their respective conta cts closed.

The closure of contacts 23 and :20-Q1 cause the relay to lock in a circuit extending from grounded battery 25, contacts QQMnS, Winding 26, contacts 21 20 to ground at key 24. It will be observed that contacts EG-Ql short-circuit resistance 27, so that armature 7 remains fully actuated independently of contacts 15--16- By the complete actuation of armature 7, contacts 18-19 Which control the external circuit are closed.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the closure of the external circuit contacts 18-19 lags appreciably behind the closure of key 24 and depends upon the length of time consumed by the vibratory spring member 13, and its associated rider 2S, to attain an effective amplitude of vibration.

Referring to Fig. 2, the actuation of key 2d causes the electromagnet to be energized in a circuit extending from grounded battery 25, normally closed contacts 1 3-12, Winning to ground at the key Q4. The winding has only sutlicient turns to effect a partial actuation of the armature 7 and, in the description of Fig. 1, the contacts controlled by the actuator 11 are not disturbed. Contacts .l2-13 are opened as in the previous description, and the vibratory spring member 13 is set vibrating due to the self-interrupting action of the electromagnct.

When the ifibratino; element 13 attains a suticieutly large amplitude of vibration the contacts 13 14 are closed causing increased pull on the armfiture 7 bv the substitution of Winding 36 for Winding 25, the former having greats` number et turns. With 'this resulting increase in an'iperi turns` armature 7 is .fully actuated causing actuator 11 to operate contacts B7-38 and 239-40. The closure of contacts 558-39 causes the relay to lock in a circuit which may be traced from grounded battery '25, contacts 35i-87, Winding 3G to ground at key 24. Contacts SSM-l0 control an external circuit and correspond to contacts 19-18 of Fign 1.

Restoration of key 24 to normal position causes the relay, in both cases, to be deenergized.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a relay, an energizing circuit for said relay, and means controlled by said relay for giving said relay a self interrupted action, said means effective a predetermined period of time after the closure of said energizing circuit, for halting said self interrupted action and maintaining said relay permanently actuated.

2. In combination, a relay, a plurality of energizing circuits for said relay, and a vibratory element controlled by said relay for maintaining one of said energizing circuits effective for a predetermined period of time and substituting another of said energizing circuits after the lapse of said predetermined period of time.

3. In combination, a relay, a plurality of energizing circuits for said relay each having diiferent electrical characteristics and a vibratory element controlled by said relay for interchanging said circuits a predetermined period of time after the closure of one of said circuits. i

4. In combination, a relay, an armature therefor, means for effecting a partial actuation of said armature, means for effecting the complete actuation of said armature and means controlled by said armature for rendering said first mentioned means successively effective for a predetermined period of time and said second mentioned means effective after the lapse of said predetermined period of time.

5. In combination, a relay, means for partially energizing said relay, means for completely energizing said relay and means set in motion upon a partial energization of said relay for effecting repeated partial energizations of said relay and causing said second mentioned means to function after a predetermined number of partial energizations of said relay.

6. In combination, a relay, means for partially energizing said relay, means for completely energizing said relay and a vibratory element set in motion upon a partial energization of said relay for effecting repeat-ed partial energizations of said relay and causing said second mentioned means to function after a predetermined number of partial energizations of said relay.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of April, 1929.

FRANK I-I. HIBBARD.

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